NBA ROUNDUP : Ewing’s Edge Over Robinson Isn’t Enough

When the San Antonio Spurs meet the New York Knicks, much of the ballyhoo is about the two centers--rookie David Robinson of the Spurs and Patrick Ewing of the Knicks.

Just how important is the showdown between those two? Not very important in deciding which team wins.

In their first meeting last week at New York, the former Navy star outplayed Ewing, but the Knicks won.

In the rematch Wednesday night at San Antonio, Ewing was the clear winner in the confrontation, but the Spurs won the game, 101-97.

Ewing had 27 points, 12 rebounds and four blocked shots; Robinson scored 20 points and had six rebounds and three blocks.

Robinson did impress Ewing with two great defensive plays with the game on the line. He intercepted a pass meant for Ewing and later blocked Ewing’s attempted dunk.

“He’s just a great player who works hard and comes up with big plays,” Ewing said. “He’s very quick and uses his quickness.”

The rookie returned the compliment. “Patrick is a smart player,” he said. “He uses his body well and makes you change your shot. For the most part I feel I did pretty well against him.”

Willie Anderson, the Spurs’ shooting guard, was the difference. He scored 13 of his 26 points in the fourth quarter and the Spurs, who led most of the game, held off a New York rally.

The Spurs, who shot only 40.2% from the field, won the game at the line, getting 27 points to 14 for the Knicks.

Philadelphia 112, Detroit 108--When Rick Mahorn was his teammate, Isiah Thomas scoffed at those who complained about the roughness of the big forward.

Thomas got a glimpse of how Detroit opponents used to feel in this game at Philadelphia. After Mahorn fouled Thomas, the Piston guard pushed Mahorn in the face to begin a shoving match.

Mahorn had the last laugh as Charles Barkley made a rebound basket and a dunk in the final seconds to clinch the 76ers’ victory over the NBA champions.

Barkley had 30 points and 11 rebounds as the 76ers handed the Pistons only their second loss in the last 10 games.

Barkley, who said he tried to get Bill Laimbeer to fight with him during the scuffle, said: “I can’t stand Bill Laimbeer. He doesn’t want to fight. I’d just love to bait him into a fight, but he won’t. He plays dirty, then he won’t fight.”

Thomas and Joe Dumars, the heart of the Piston offense, were five for 14 and six for 15, respectively, from the field.

Utah 95, Atlanta 88--Karl Malone made certain the Hawks’ woes on the road continued.

The Jazz forward scored 40 points, the third time in the last four games he has had at 40.

It was the seventh loss in a row away from home for the Hawks. Dominique Wilkins led Atlanta with 27 points. The losing streak leaves the Hawks (18-17) in fifth place in the Central Division.

Miami 121, Indiana 111--The Heat always seems to be streaking. After losing 13 in a row, Miami has won its last two and has ended an eight-game losing streak at home.

Rony Seikaly scored 31 points and rookie Sherman Douglas scored 16 of his 25 in the fourth quarter to end Pacer hopes of stopping a road losing streak that has reached six games.

Boston 133, Orlando 111--Robert Parish had 25 points and 26 rebounds to lead the Celtics to their 10th road victory in 18 games. The Celtics and the Lakers are the only teams in the league above .500 away from home.

Larry Bird, although he was only six for 17 from the field, had a triple-double with 14 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists.

The rest of the Celtics shot 63.2% from the field.

New Jersey 115, Washington 106--Sam Bowie keeps getting stronger, and the Nets keep getting better.

The oft-injured center had 11 of his 22 points in the fourth quarter at East Rutherford, N.J., and had 14 rebounds to lead the Nets.

Phoenix 108, Dallas 88--Jeff Hornacek scored seven points to trigger a 21-7 burst in the last nine minutes at Dallas that carried the Suns to an easy victory.

Tom Chambers led the Suns with 26 points, 13 of them in the third quarter when the Suns made 73% of their shots from the field. It was the fifth victory in a row for the Suns. The Mavericks have lost four in a row and seven of eight.

Houston 107, Cleveland 98--Otis Thorpe scored six of his 21 points in a 23-6 streak in the third quarter at Houston that enabled the Rockets to build a big lead.

Akeem Olajuwon had 19 points and 19 rebounds for the Rockets, who ended a two-game losing streak.